With Comic Con Africa 2026 only a week away, the excitement and hype is slowly building towards the biggest pop culture convention in South Africa. Each year, Comic Con Africa hosts not only a vast variety of activities, products and more from the geek sphere, it also invites a number of international celebrity guests from across all walks of entertainment. This year is no different - in fact, it’s arguably one of the biggest and strongest lineups in CCA’s history. From Christopher Judge to the cast of Rick and Morty, here are all the international guests set to spotlight the event this year.



Christopher Judge (25-27 September)
Key performance: Kratos in God of War



Renowned actor and voice artist Christopher Judge has enjoyed an illustrious career in tv series from Sci-Fi to comedy, as well as bringing to life the pivotal character Kratos in the epic video game God of War, a game which received over a dozen game of the year awards when it was released in 2018.

For the sequel God of War Ragnarök, Christopher won two prestigious best performance awards, and today, Kratos is considered one of the most recognisable characters in gaming history. Christpher’s best-known performance in television so far was for his iconic portrayal of Teal’c in Stargate SG-1, and he appeared in more episodes in the series than any other cast member.

Other shows he has appeared in include the iconic MacGyver, the 90’s classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Sirens. He also voiced Magneto in the animated television series X-Men: Evolution, based on the Marvel Comics series. The Daytime Emmy Awards-winning series ran for four seasons.

Richard T Jones (25-27 September)
Key performance: Wade Grey in The Rookie



Acclaimed American actor Richard T Jones began acting in the 90s, with roles in series like NYPD Blue, Courthouse, Dangerous Minds, and Brooklyn South. In the 2000s Richard appeared in Ally McBeal, Judging Amy, and Girlfriends. He also acted James Ellison in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

After appearances in Bones and Grey’s Anatomy, Richard acted as Governor Samuel “Sam” Denning in Hawaii Five-O, a show which was nominated for multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, and won at the People’s Choice Awards. He also took on the character of Detective Andrew Hahn in American Horror Story: Hotel. From 2018 to the present, Richard has been a member of the main cast of The Rookie as Police Sergeant Wade Grey. The show has been nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards.

Ian Cardoni (24-26 September)
Key performance: Rick Sanchez in Rick and Morty



Born and raised just outside of Boston, Ian Cardoni currently stars in Adult Swim’s two-time Emmy Award-winning animated comedy series Rick and Morty as the titular character Rick Sanchez. Cardoni stepped into the iconic role at the start of season 7, with Season 9 currently airing on Adult Swim and another three seasons already planned.

Cardoni has voiced numerous roles across adult and children’s animation, video games, TV promos, and commercials, including recent roles in the Children’s & Family Emmy-nominated and Annie Award-nominated Nickelodeon series Rock, Paper, Scissors, in Fox’s animated series Krapopolis, and in the Sony Pictures Classic film Scarlet from Academy Award-nominated director Mamoru Hosoda. In the video game space, Cardoni has voiced roles across various critically-acclaimed titles, including DC: Dark Legion by Warner Brothers Games, CookieRun: The Darkest Night by Devsisters, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 & 4 by Iron Galaxy, and he reprised his Rick and Morty role of Rick Sanchez in the chart-topping game MultiVersus from Warner Brothers Games which has received multiple Game Awards nominations.

Most recently, Cardoni can be heard as the villain Magrus in third-person action game Romeo is a Dead Man by Grasshopper Manufacture and legendary developer Suda51, which was released in February 2026.

Harry Belden (24-26 September)
Key performance: Morty Smith in Rick and Morty



Harry Belden is an American actor and voice actor best known for voicing Morty Smith in the Emmy Award-winning animated series Rick and Morty since 2023. Beginning his acting career at a young age, Belden has built a diverse portfolio spanning television, film, theatre, and voiceover work.

His natural comedic timing, emotional range, and distinctive vocal performances have earned him recognition among audiences and industry professionals alike. As the voice of one of animation's most beloved characters, Belden continues to bring humour, heart, and authenticity to projects across entertainment media.

Spencer Grammer (24-26 September)
Key performance: Summer Smith in Rick and Morty



Spencer Grammer is an American actress best known for voicing Summer Smith in the Emmy Award-winning animated series Rick and Morty. With a career spanning television, film, and voice acting, she has earned recognition for her versatility and engaging performances across a variety of genres. Grammer first gained widespread attention for her role as Casey Cartwright on the hit comedy-drama series Greek and has since appeared in numerous television and film projects. As the voice of Summer Smith, she has helped bring one of animation’s most iconic modern characters to life, earning a devoted fan following around the world.

Alison Sealy-Smith (24-27 September)
Key performance: Storm in X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men ‘97



Barbadian-Canadian voice actress Alison Sealy-Smith is best known as the iconic voice of Storm in X-Men: The Animated Series and the recent X-Men '97. Sealy-Smith has become a beloved figure among Marvel and animation fans worldwide. Her portrayal of the powerful mutant leader has been a part of defining a generation of superhero storytelling and remains one of the most celebrated performances in animated television. In addition to her role as Storm, Sealy-Smith has voiced Gamora in Silver Surfer, and Scarlet in Delilah and Julius, and has appeared in fan-favourite series including Spider-Man and Sailor Moon.

Steven John Ward (24-26 September)
Key performance: Dracule Mihawk in One Piece



Steven John Ward is a South African actor, producer, and writer best known internationally for his breakout role as Mihawk in Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece. His portrayal of the iconic swordsman introduced him to a global fanbase and solidified his presence in the world of genre television. A graduate of the AFDA School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance in Cape Town, Steven has built a diverse career spanning television, film, and producing. With a rapidly growing international profile and a strong connection to audiences worldwide, Steven John Ward continues to be one of South Africa's most exciting talents.

Alexander Maniatis 24-26 September)
Key performance: Captain Kuro in One Piece



Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Alexander studied drama at the Pretoria Arts Campus, Tshwane University of Technology. Alexander is known for his role as the devious villain and captain of The Black Cat Pirates Captain Kuro - also known as Klahadore - in the critically acclaimed Netflix live action adaptation of One Piece. His career as an actor kicked off in 2016 and since then has covered a wide range of genres where he portrays diverse roles in drama (Love, Lies and Hybrids), comedy (Asseblief en Dankie) and action (ICE season 2). Maniatis also works as a voice artist and as a musician who sings and plays piano and guitar.

Jazzara Jasslyn (24-26 September)
Key performance: Miss Valentine in One Piece



Jazzara Jaslyn is an award-winning South African actress, writer, and director, and a graduate of the University of Cape Town’s Theatre and Performance program. Jazzara has built a versatile career spanning international television, film, and elite stage productions. She is widely recognized for her role as Miss Valentine in the second season of Netflix’s global hit One Piece. Her television credits include starring as Jane Swann in the action-thriller Professionals (alongside Brendan Fraser), Eliza Pendleton in HBO’s Warrior, and Miranda Hugo in the M-Net drama Lioness. On stage, she has garnered acclaim for her performance as Alex Forrest in the adaptation of Fatal Attraction. Beyond acting, her 2024 debut short film, A Knowing, received nine international awards, followed by her 2026 project Strange Dance.

Nahum Hughes (24-26 September)
Key performance: Bartolomeo in One Piece



Nahum Hughes is a dynamic South African actor whose versatility and strong screen presence have quickly positioned him as a rising force in international entertainment. He recently joined the global hit One Piece, portraying the bold and memorable Bartolomeo in the Loguetown arc, bringing fresh energy to the fan-favourite pirate. Before setting sail on this major role, Hughes delivered a standout performance as the lead in David: King of Israel. His growing body of work also includes appearances in Black Beauty, The Mauritanian, and the historical series Tutankhamun. An accomplished athlete and passionate motorcycle enthusiast, Hughes continues to build a career that spans powerful historical storytelling and high-energy global productions.

Martial T Batchamen (24-26 September)
Key performance: Brook in One Piece



A Cameroonian-born actor and voice artist who grew up in South Africa, Martial has built a career across international film and television. He has appeared in productions including Redeeming Love, Tali's Joburg Diary, and Unseen. Martial's career continues to grow on the global stage with his casting in the hit live-action adaptation of One Piece, where he portrays the beloved pirate musician Brook, a key character whose story ties into one of the most emotional arcs of the series.

Comic Con Africa 2026 takes place from 24-27 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre (Nasrec). View the ticket availability on Howler right here.